The True Prophet
The Bible helps us to know whether a prophet is true or false. Here are the qualifications of a true one:
A. He will live a godly life
“Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16). “…A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:15-20). A true prophet will live according to God’s words. His life will reflect that of His Creator.
B. He would speak and write in harmony with the Bible
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:19, 20). The believer is to test the teachings of the prophet by the Word of God, which is the Bible. If the prophet teaches contrary to Scripture, he is a false prophet and “there is no light” in him.
C. He will predict events that will come to pass
“But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him” (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).
D. He will have visions or dreams
“And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream” (Numbers 12:6).
The False Prophet
God warns us of false prophets who will be so extremely convincing that they will deceive all except the very elect of God. Billions will be deceived and lost. Jesus said, “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).
Miracles prove only one thing: supernatural power. But such power may come from God or Satan (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Revelation 13:13, 14). Therefore, we need more than just the supernatural. We need to test those that claim they are messengers of God by the truths of the Scriptures as the sure guide for discerning between truth and error.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
